Responding to an angry e-mail on his monthly radio show on Boston area radio station WTKK-FM, Patrick told listeners that strong resistance from residents meant that lawmakers were probably not going to tackle the bill.

“It isn’t going anywhere so we’re having a totally hypothetical conversation,” Patrick said. “It’s not going to move in the Legislature. It seems like we (also) couldn’t do it administratively.”

Deval L. Patrick However, Patrick defended the bill and said it would bring in needed revenue to the state.

“The economic analysis suggests that we actually make money,” he said. “But I get the point that folks say ’look we don’t want to be doing stuff that appears to reward illegal behavior.’ I get that ... but I’m just talking about kids. That’s all.”

Earlier this week, Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said state legislators’ election year anxiety after Republican Scott P. Brown’s U.S. Senate win has likely doomed the proposal granting undocumented students in-state tuition rates. He said lawmakers want to stay away from controversial proposals and want to focus on jobs and the economy.

Eva Millona, executive director of Massachusetts Immigrants & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, said the bleak outlook for the bill is disappointing.

“I don’t see the bill going anywhere this session, but we’re not giving up the fight,” she said.

Millona said advocates will continue to talk up the merits of the bill and will look into getting lawmakers to consider a modified version in the near future.

Last week, dozens of students and immigrant advocates crowded a hearing on the proposal before the Joint Committee on Higher Education. Under the proposal, students who are undocumented and have attended a Massachusetts high school for at least a few years would qualify for in-state tuition rates. They would not be eligible for federal financial aid.

Proponents say the proposal gives undocumented students a better chance of furthering their education and for prospects of legalizing their status. Opponents argue the bill would encourage more illegal immigration and the state shouldn’t invest in those students since they can’t legally work in the United States.

Ten states – California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin – have in-state tuition laws for undocumented students. Oklahoma repealed its law in 2008.

Four states – Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina – have passed laws specifically banning undocumented students from being eligible for in-state tuition.